Spent a month in Italy during which we rented a car from Avis. Paid for the rental using Chase Sapphire which provides car rental coverage as a benefit; however, AVIS mandates that you have the CDW coverage under them. Chase told me in this case the coverage provided by Chase (via Virginia Surety) becomes secondary. One coverage I did decline - which I WISH I HADN"T - is the windshield protection. Unluckily for us, a pebble hit our windshield and created an 8-inch long crack. Upon returning the car at FCO the intake person at AVIS immediately pointed out the windshield crack, but not only that....he pointed out this TINY ding on the rim of the wheel well that wasn't documented when we initially took the car. Ultimately, we were charged $1500 USD for these two repairs!!!! (the windshield being the costlier of the two). So, I submitted a claim to Chase and after a month they replied that I am not covered since I didn't waive the AVIS' CDW coverage. I had to then submit a request for secondary review and had to send a letter explaining that AVIS's CDW was mandatory - I had no option to decline it; therefore, CHASE should kick in as the secondary insurance. It will probably be another month before I hear back and I am just assuming they will find another reason to decline my claim. What a terrible experience so far. Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice? Thanks!
Posted by
Bristol, UK
2156 posts
CDW is included by law on car rentals within the EU and GB. Is it not possible to decline it. You are only ever responsible for the excess (deductible US term). This varies in amount depending on the company but is typically €1000 or so.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Some may not agree that this should be under travel scams, but I don't think a cracked windshield & a tiny little ding should cost upwards of $1500 USD. I definitely did many things wrong, lessons learned & never again. But I came back to report something that is NOT a scam - the secondary insurance from CHASE Sapphire came through for me!!!! The process wasn't terrible, just slightly painful but at the end I am receiving reimbursement for (almost) the entire amount. YAY! So I'm here to vouch for that car rental insurance benefit from Chase Sapphire - awesome!!!!
Posted by
London
2586 posts
I don't think a cracked windshield & a tiny little ding should cost upwards of $1500 USD
Repairs on cars are expensive. Labour costs a lot.
Posted by
California USA
4363 posts
As far as the cost being high, our DIL just experienced a cracked windshield when driving to our house last week. The cost to repair it was about $1300 USD. I was shocked but the explanation was that many newer cars with cameras and sensors in the windshields need to be recalibrated with the car’s onboard systems when a new windshield is installed. Eye opening and cautionary for me. Fortunately she did have some collision insurance but with a $500 deductible.